Peripheral blood neutrophil counts were performed on Day 2 and Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the treatment period

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Mean Change From Baseline in Sputum Absolute Neutrophil Count [ Time Frame: Baseline and while on study drug (up to 4 weeks) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Induced sputum samples were obtained at Baseline and at Weeks 2 and 4 of the treatment period. Samples were collected before study drug administration using the nebulizer method and sent to a central laboratory for analysis. An average was taken over all post-baseline samples collected no later than one day after the last dose of study drug.

Total Asthma Symptom Score is the sum of individual symptoms of wheezing, coughing, and dyspnea assessed twice daily (morning and evening) and is recorded on a comment diary card. Each of the symptoms receives a daily score from 0 (none) to 3 (severe), averaged over the two daily assessments. The total score ranges from 0 to 9, with a lower score indicating less severe asthma symptoms.

Change From Baseline in Post-Bronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1) [ Time Frame: Baseline and up to 4 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Spirometry was used to measure post-bronchodilator FEV1 at Baseline and before study drug administration at Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4. Participants received 4 puffs of bronchodilator (salbutamol hydrofluoroalkane or equivalent) at 30-second intervals and spirometry was performed 30 minutes later. The mean change from baseline is based on the average change over all post-baseline assessments.

Change From Baseline in Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire With Standardized Activities (AQLQ[S]) [ Time Frame: Baseline and up to 4 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

The AQLQ[S] was administered at Baseline and at Weeks 2 and 4. The assessment consists of a 32-item questionnaire covering 4 domains: symptoms, emotional functioning, impact of environmental stimuli, and activity limitation. Each item receives a score from 1 (worst, or most affected) to 7 (not at all affected). The score is the mean across all items, and ranges from 1 to 7. The mean change from baseline is based on the average change over all post-baseline assessments.

Number of Participants With an Adverse Event (AE) [ Time Frame: Up to 5 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered study drug which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the treatment. AEs may include the onset of new illness and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions.

The endpoint measured was any electrocardiogram abnormality that was reported as an AE. An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered study drug which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the treatment. AEs may include the onset of new illness and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions.

Number of Participants With a Laboratory Adverse Event [ Time Frame: Up to 5 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

The endpoint measured was any laboratory (hematology, blood chemistry, or urinalysis) abnormality that was reported as an AE. An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered study drug which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the treatment. AEs may include the onset of new illness and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions.

Number of Participants Who Discontinued the Study Because of an Adverse Event [ Time Frame: Up to 5 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered study drug which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the treatment. AEs may include the onset of new illness and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions.

Number of Participants Who Discontinued Treatment Because of an Adverse Event or a Protocol-defined Clinical Event [ Time Frame: Up to 4 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant administered study drug which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the treatment. AEs may include the onset of new illness and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions. A protocol-defined clinical event is an asthma exacerbation requiring addition of or increase in systemic steroids, as determined by the investigator.

Nonsmoker or previous smoker with cumulative smoking history less than 20 pack-years (pack-year = 20 cigarettes smoked daily for 1 year). Previous smokers may not have smoked within 1 year prior to Screening.

Must not have had an exacerbation of asthma for 4 weeks prior to Screening and must be on a stable medication regimen for asthma at least 4 weeks prior to Screening.

Must be receiving >=800 mcg/day of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) or equivalent for at least 3 months prior to Screening (and on stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to Screening).

Must be willing to give written informed consent to participate in the study

Must be capable of complying with the dosing regimen, adhere to the visit schedule, and participate in all treatment procedures, including sputum induction.

Female subject of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at Screening and must be using a medically acceptable, highly effective, adequate form of birth control (ie, failure rate <1% per year when used consistently and correctly) prior to Screening and agree to continue using it while in the study (Screening and Treatment Periods). Medically acceptable, highly effective forms of birth control are hormonal implants, oral contraceptives, medically acceptable prescribed intrauterine devices (IUDs), and monogamous relationship with a male partner who has had a vasectomy. Female subject who is not of childbearing potential must have a medical record of being surgically sterile (eg, hysterectomy, tubal ligation), or be at least 1 year postmenopausal. Absence of menses for at least 1 year will indicate that a female is postmenopausal. A female subject should be encouraged to continue using a highly effective method of birth control for 30 days following the end of treatment.

Male subject must agree to use an adequate form of contraception for the duration of the study and agree to have sexual relations only with women who use a highly effective birth control method.

Medical condition(s) (eg, hematologic, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, neurologic, or metabolic) or medication that may interfere with effect of study medication.

Within 30 days of Screening: any other investigational drug.

Participation in any other clinical study.

Part of the staff personnel involved with the study.

Family member of investigational study staff.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00632502